The House Education Committee is advancing a bill that changes the birthdate cut-off for students to begin kindergarten.
Current statute requires children start school if they turn five years old by September first. House Bill 1174 would shift the date one month earlier to August first.
Supporters say kindergarten is more rigorous than in past decades and setting an earlier cut-off could ensure more students are mature enough to start kindergarten.
Robin Mediger has taught kindergarten in the Sioux Falls School District for more than 20 years. She says any date will feel arbitrary, but an August first deadline is more in sync with existing school practices.
“All students will turn five before the school district start date and provide each level k-12 with a clear age to begin their school year," she says. "We’re not trying to deny any access. We’re just trying to ensure success for all students.”
Two more kindergarten teachers and a representative from the Sioux Falls School District spoke in favor of the bill.
Secretary of Education Ben Jones opposes the bill, saying it could impact state aid formulas. He adds the bill as written would go into effect this July and could impact families who expected their child to be eligible to start kindergarten this year.
Members of the House Education Committee took the teachers’ testimonies to heart, and they passed the bill with a 13 to one vote. It moves next to the House floor.